The Detroit Lions made two roster moves on Saturday prior to their Monday night matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Detroit Lions announced a couple of roster moves on Saturday ahead of their final practice in preparation for their Monday night matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. They have re-signed linebacker Kwon Alexander to their practice squad and signed defensive back Morice Norris from their practice squad to their 53-man roster.
Just minutes prior to this announcement, Lions coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media and talked about how the team may need Alexander down the stretch.
“Of course, we would love to have him on the roster,” Campbell said. “We just know what he’s about. If that’s not the case, well, man, can we get him on the vet (practice) squad in some capacity, because I still think we’re going to need him before this is all said and done. We’re going to need him again.
“Just what he brings. He’s not different to me than Teddy (Bridgewater) is offensively. He’s just a guy, he loves ball, he eats it, he sleeps it. He’s smart. He doesn’t bat an eye, he doesn’t complain. He just works, man. He’ll go out there—and this is a guy who’s got a lot of skins on the wall, played a lot of football—he’s got no problem lining up out there on scout defense and playing ball, man, competing. I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for those guys.”
Alexander has played in two games for the Lions this year, tallying four tackles in a total of 29 defensive snaps.
Norris signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State and is capable of playing both safety and nickelback. He showed well in training camp but a hamstring injury forced him to be released with an injury settlement. Norris rehabilitated in Michigan and when his settlement agreement expired, he re-signed with the Lions onto their practice squad.
With the Lions thin at corner, Brian Branch took the majority of his reps inside at nickel last week, leaving the Lions with just two safeties on the active roster. Norris’ positional range should allow him to back up both Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu, as well as Branch. He’ll also surely contribute to multiple spots on special teams.
